By Camm Ashford
Students at Brainerd High School were able to obtain valuable information on education preparation, training and personal qualities needed for a variety of occupations on Tuesday during a Career Expo.
The networking event was held from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the school gymnasium, 1020 N. Moore Rd.
Around 25 vendors participated, including: BlueSky Institute, Boys and Girls Club of Chattanooga, Chattanooga Fire Department, Chattanooga Police Department, Chattanooga State Community College, Food City, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Harrison Bay State Park, Orange Grove Center, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and West Star Aviation, among others.
Maurquez Thompson, a junior at Brainerd High School, noted that career exploration is an important part of the high school experience, whether students are pursuing entrance into a career or selecting a college major.
“This Career Expo is an excellent opportunity for my peers and I to explore and utilize resources available to us in order to prepare for post-secondary options,” he said.
The 17-year-old Thompson plans to attend the University of Chicago to pursue a double major in political science and pre-law, and minor in either English or history. One day he hopes to become a federal judge.
Bria Sibley, Community Forward schools coordinator at Brainerd High School, is one of the organizers of the Career Expo. She pointed out that firsthand contact with successful industry leaders is an ideal way for students to begin to understand and be inspired by a profession.
Community Forward is a collaboration between Hamilton County Schools and the city of Chattanooga, and seeks to strengthen students and families by removing barriers and creating opportunities through embedded wrap-around services and high quality programs.
According to its website, “Community Forward relies on strong partnerships between schools, families, and the community to provide the necessary support to all students in order for them to thrive and experience a future without limits.”